April 2022 Space News

China sends five satellites to orbits in one-go launch onboard Long March-11 from sea Global Times 30 Apr 2022 -- A Long March-11 carrier rocket lifted off at noon on Saturday off the coast of the East China Sea, successfully sending five Jilin-1 Gaofen satellites into preset orbits, marking the first time that China has realized a "one-stop" launch mode in near sea.
Beijing: US, Japan policy of 'fabricating China space threat' aimed at space militarization Press TV 28 Apr 2022 -- The Chinese government has accused the US and Japan of "fabricating" China's space threat, saying it is aimed at advancing their own space army expansion.
China mulls building defense system against near-Earth asteroids PLA Daily 25 Apr 2022 -- China is set to build monitoring and defense systems protecting the planet from the dangers of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs).
Roscosmos: Russian Progress MS-18 Spacecraft to Prevent ISS Collision With Space Debris Sputnik 23 Apr 2022 -- Russian cargo spacecraft Progress MS-18 will prevent the International Space Station (ISS) from colliding with space debris, the Russian state space agency Roscosmos said on Saturday.
Lockheed Martin to Produce Eighth THAAD Battery for the US Government Lockheed Martin 21 Apr 2022 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has received a contract totaling $74 million to produce the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The award amount covers the production of an eighth THAAD battery for the U.S. government. It's expected to be fielded by 2025.
Pentagon Gives Lockheed $74 Million Contract to Build 8th THAAD Air Defense Battery Sputnik 21 Apr 2022 -- The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) was intended to avert nuclear war by making it impossible to shoot down an enemy's entire nuclear missile barrage, but after the US annulled the treaty in 2002, it pushed ahead with a new generation of interceptors that Russia and China have decried as threatening.
China's Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft completes fly-around and automatic docking with Tianhe core module Global Times 20 Apr 2022 -- Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft detached from China's Tianhe space station core module from the rear port at 5:02 am on Wednesday and flew around and successfully conducted automatic rendezvous and docking with the orbiting Tianhe at the front port, which took around 4 hours, the Global Times learned from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
In-orbit construction of China's space station to be completed in 2022 People's Daily 20 Apr 2022 -- The in-orbit construction of China's space station is expected to be completed this year, during which the country plans to carry out six launch missions, according to a press conference on the latest developments in China's space station construction held on April 17.
US Vice President Harris Announces Decision to Ban US Anti-Satellite Weapons Tests Sputnik 19 Apr 2022 -- US Vice President Kamala Harris announced the decision to ban US anti-satellite weapons tests.
Deputy Secretary Graves Statement on Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Tests US Dept. of Commerce 19 Apr 2022 -- Today, following the announcement by Vice President Harris that the United States would not conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile tests, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves issued the following statement:
Remarks by Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen H. Hicks on the New U.S. Commitment Not to Conduct Destructive Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Testing at Vandenberg Space Force Base (As Prepared) DoD 18 Apr 2022
Remarks by Vice President Harris on the Ongoing Work to Establish Norms in Space The White House 18 Apr 2022
FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Advances National Security Norms in Space The White House 18 Apr 2022
US to Ban Anti-Satellite Weapons Tests to Avoid Creating Space Debris, Reports Say Sputnik 18 Apr 2022 -- The Biden administration will announce on Monday its decision to prohibit US anti-satellite weapons tests in space as a means to avoid creating new space debris, NBC News reported citing two sources familiar with the matter.
China's space station first to be open to all UN member states: Chinese FM Global Times 18 Apr 2022 -- China is implementing its first batch of international cooperation programs on board the Tiangong space station, and will hopefully upload those experiments by the end of the year. Foreign astronauts are welcome to Tiangong to make greater contributions to the shared future of mankind, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday.
China to Cooperate With Countries Committed to Peaceful Space Use Sputnik 18 Apr 2022 -- China is ready to expand cooperation with countries that advocate the peaceful use of space, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday.
Safe ISS Operation Should Remain Priority, Space Foundation Says, as Russia Reviews Cooperation Sputnik 18 Apr 2022 -- All countries participating in the International Space Station (ISS) project should focus on maintaining its safety and continued work, and keep in mind the long history of cooperation, as Russia is reviewing the future of its participation after sanctions, Space Foundation CEO Tom Zelibor told Sputnik.
China reveals missions of Shenzhou-14, Shenzhou-15 space crews People's Daily 18 Apr 2022 -- The crews of China's Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 missions have been selected, and are carrying out relevant training and mission preparations, according to a press conference on Sunday.
China eyes next-generation manned carrier rocket, spaceship Global Times 17 Apr 2022 -- With the epic Shenzhou-13 mission drawing a perfect conclusion to the key technology verification stage of China's space station Tiangong, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) revealed on Sunday that six more flights will be arranged this year to complete the station's construction. Tiangong will then enter the operational stage that will run for over 10 years, becoming a space "home" for all mankind.
China Plans 6 Space Missions in 2022 to Complete National Orbital Station - Space Agency Sputnik 17 Apr 2022 -- China has scheduled six space missions by the end of 2022 to complete the construction of the national space station Tiangong, the director of China's Manned Space Engineering Office, Hao Chun, said on Sunday.
NROL-85 launches from Vandenberg Vanderberg SFB 17 Apr 2022 -- Team Vandenberg launched the National Reconnaissance Office mission (NROL-85) from Space Launch Complex-4 East here Sunday, April 17, at 6:13 a.m. Pacific Time.
Chinese astronauts return with six-month space station mission accomplished People's Daily 17 Apr 2022 -- Three Chinese astronauts of the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship have completed their six-month space station mission and returned to Earth safely on Saturday.
Shenzhou-13 crew return safely to Earth after record six months in orbit Global Times 16 Apr 2022 -- The Shenzhou-13 crew have safely returned to Earth after their epic six-month orbital trip, which nearly doubled the previous record of China's longest single-flight space mission of 92 days set by the Shenzhou-12, some eight hours after the manned spacecraft's detachment from the Tianhe core module.
GT Exclusive: "Absolutely yes": vice chief designer on whether China's Tiangong can become space post house for mankind Global Times 16 Apr 2022 -- Will China's Tiangong space station become a station shared by all mankind? Bai Linhou, vice chief designer of the space station, said "absolutely yes" in an exclusive interview with the Global Times, as the space station can be expanded technically and has reserved docking hatches.
Shenzhou-13 crew return safely to Earth after record six months in orbit Global Times 16 Apr 2022 -- The Shenzhou-13 crew have safely returned to Earth after their epic six-month orbital trip, which nearly doubled the previous record of China's longest single-flight space mission of 92 days set by the Shenzhou-12, some eight hours after the manned spacecraft's detachment from the Tianhe core module.
Shenzhou-13 astronauts land safely People's Daily 16 Apr 2022 -- Three Chinese astronauts, the second team sent to orbit for space station construction, have completed their six-month mission and returned to Earth safely on Saturday.
Xi orders building world-leading spacecraft launch site PLA Daily 14 Apr 2022 -- President Xi Jinping demanded efforts to elevate a spacecraft launch site in southern China's island province of Hainan into world-leading standards when he inspected the site on Tuesday.
China's BDS accuracy comparable to GPS, even better in Asia-Pacific region: authorities Global Times 14 Apr 2022 -- Some 15 years after the first BeiDou-2 navigation satellite was launched, China is providing the world with an all-round, multifunctional satellite navigation system, with a worldwide positioning accuracy equal to the US' GPS, and even better performances in the Asia-Pacific region, authorities said at the 13th China Satellite Navigation Conference on Thursday.
Roscosmos Chief on ESA Suspension of Joint Work on Moon: 'Good Riddance' Sputnik 13 Apr 2022 -- Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin said that in response to the suspension of participation in the Russian lunar program by the European Space Agency (ESA), European devices would be removed from Russian spacecraft.
Pentagon's 'China, Russia threat in space' hype aims at hegemony, developing own military: FM Global Times 13 Apr 2022 -- By disregarding facts and repeatedly hyping the "space threat from China and Russia," the US is creating excuses to develop its own military and seek hegemony in space, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, after the Pentagon's intelligence agency claimed on Tuesday that China and Russia are developing and deploying weapons that can stop US satellites while also increasing its own fleet of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) space vehicles.
US Officials Warn of 'Dramatic' Increases in Space Competition with Russia, China VOA 13 Apr 2022 -- Defense Intelligence Agency officials are warning of "dramatic" increases in the pace and scope of space operations by competitors, with China and Russia growing their in-orbit space assets by 70% since 2019.
Defense Intelligence Agency Report Details Space-Based Threats From Competitors DoD News 12 Apr 2022 -- The Defense Intelligence Agency today released the new unclassified report, "Challenges to Security in Space 2022," which is a follow-up to its similarly titled report in 2019.
Russia & China Seeking to Become Leading Space Powers, US Defense Intelligence Agency Claims Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- Russia and China seek to become leading space powers and intend to create new global space norms to undercut the United States' global leadership, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said on Tuesday.
Meeting with Roscosmos General Director Dmitry Rogozin President of Russia 12 Apr 2022 -- Completing his trip to the Amur Region, Vladimir Putin met with General Director of the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities.
Conversation with Vostochny Cosmodrome employees President of Russia 12 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with Vostochny Cosmodrome employees.
Meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko President of Russia 12 Apr 2022 -- Vladimir Putin held talks with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Russia to Resume Lunar Programme - Putin Sputnik 12 Apr 2022 -- On the 61st anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's flight into space, the Russian president announced that the country will proceed with its space exploration plans despite all the pressure from abroad.
In Russia's War On Ukraine, Effective Satellites Are Few And Far Between RFE/RL 11 Apr 2022 -- By all accounts, Russia's war on Ukraine isn't going well.
US military setting up Patriot missile system in Slovakia Press TV 09 Apr 2022 -- The United States has made preparations to set up surface-to-air missiles in Slovakia, a NATO member, amid the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia over security issues in Eastern Europe.
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Slovakia's Minister of Defense Jaroslav Nad' DoD 08 Apr 2022
Statement from the President on Delivery of Air Defense Systems to Ukraine The White House 08 Apr 2022
Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Slovakia and U.S. Allied Cooperation in Support of Ukraine DoD 08 Apr 2022 -- "I salute the generosity of the Slovak government in providing an S-300 air defense system - a critical defensive capability - to Ukraine. It's a strong testament to how determined Ukraine's neighbors are to help the Ukrainians defend themselves against Russia's unprovoked invasion of their homeland."
NATO Pledges 'New, Heavier' Weapons to Kiev as Ukraine's FM Says Donbass Showdown Will Resemble WWII Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- Pledges to send more weapons to Ukraine, where Russia is currently conducting a special operation to "demilitarise and de-Nazify" the country, come as Kiev's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba Warned at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday that the battle for Donbass would be reminiscent of "World War Two".
U.S. To Send Patriot Air-Defense System To Slovakia After Its Donation Of S-300 To Ukraine RFE/RL 08 Apr 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has thanked Slovakia for donating its Soviet-era S-300 air-defense system to Ukraine and said it will be replaced with a U.S.-made Patriot system.
US to Deploy One Patriot Missile System in Slovakia, Pentagon Chief Announces Sputnik 08 Apr 2022 -- While NATO has said it will not become militarily involved in Ukraine, including refusing to set up a no-fly zone, it has rushed to flood the country with weapons, including man-portable weapons and larger weapons systems. Some former Soviet allies have also considered sending their Soviet-made equipment for Ukraine to use.
China launches new civilian remote sensing satellite with high-resolution imaging capability Global Times 07 Apr 2022 -- China successfully sent a new civilian remote sensing satellite Gaofen-3 03 into preset orbit via a Long March-4C carrier rocket at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province on Thursday. 
Chinese satellites achieve V-band low orbit measurement People's Daily 07 Apr 2022 -- GalaxySpace, a private satellite maker based in Beijing, has achieved V-band low orbit measurement and control on its six satellites which were sent into space on March 5, the China Science Daily reported Wednesday.
Amazon Secures Deal to Launch Majority of 3,200 Project Kuiper Internet Satellites Sputnik 05 Apr 2022 -- SpaceX has launched more than 2,300 Starlink internet satellites into orbit and has plans to deploy as many as 30,000. However, the satellites have already caused problems for astronomers, and the US space agency NASA has warned that more could pose a danger to orbital infrastructures. Now Amazon is set to join the internet satellite race.
Kendall highlights space's importance, need to 'transform' operations and thinking for the domain US Air Force 05 Apr 2022 -- Presenting a robust case for operating in - and defending - space, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said April 5 that "transforming" without delay priorities, practices and spending for the domain is necessary to adequately adapt to a theater that is more volatile yet also increasingly essential to the nation's security and everyday life.
"Space is a warfighting domain now," Kendall bluntly told an audience of senior government, industry, military and commercial space officials during his keynote address at the 37th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
First £22 million MINERVA satellite supports 100 UK jobs UK MOD 04 Apr 2022 -- The first in a network of new satellites will be designed and built in a new three-year, £22 million contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).
Department of the Air Force announces candidate locations for STARCOM HQ, Deltas US Air Force 04 Apr 2022 -- The Department of the Air Force selected six candidate locations for U.S. Space Force's Space Training and Readiness Command Headquarters, April 4.
Russian Space Chief Warns That Sanctions Threaten Space Station Cooperation RFE/RL 03 Apr 2022 -- The head of Russia's space program has said that the future of the International Space Station (ISS) is at risk if punitive sanctions imposed by the West against Moscow are not lifted.
Russia says cooperation in space only possible once West fully removes sanctions Press TV 02 Apr 2022 -- The head of Russia's space agency says Russia will only restore normal relations with the International Space Station (ISS) only after the West removes its illegal sanctions against Moscow.
Roscosmos to Brief Russian Government on Options for Ending ISS Cooperation Soon, Rogozin Says Sputnik 02 Apr 2022 -- The Russian space agency Roscosmos will soon inform the government of how it plans to terminate cooperation with Western partners on the International Space Station, its chief said.
China Has Capability to Use Space for Military Purposes, Experts Say VOA 02 Apr 2022 -- China now has the technology, hardware and know-how to coordinate a war from space, defense analysts say.
UK Space Command marks one-year anniversary UK MOD 01 Apr 2022 -- UK Space Command is today marking its first anniversary following formation in April 2021.

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